Season Ends for @Pitt_WSOC w/ OT Loss at NCST #PghSoccer #ACC

The University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer team concluded the regular season Thursday evening at NC State, dropping a 2-1 decision in overtime at Dail Soccer Stadium.

The contest was the final of the 2016 season for Pitt as the ACC regular season comes to a close.

“I thought our kids played hard and played with a lot of heart,” said head coach Greg Miller. “It was great to see Sarah (Krause) get a goal to get us back in the game and it really gave us a spark. But, at the end of the day what ended up being our Achilles heel, as it was all year long, was giving up set piece goals, and we gave up two and that’s the story of our season.”

NC State struck first in the 10th minute as a converted corner kick by Kia Rankin gave the Wolfpack a 1-0 lead.

The Panthers tied it up in the 36th minute off the foot of Sarah Krause. Senior Arielle Fernandez was credited with the assist as Pitt went into the break knotted up at 1-1.

“It was a nice little build up and she ended up getting ball inside the box,” said Miller. “She was parallel with the goal and took a touch toward in front and was able to get ahold of it and put it in the upper left corner of the goal. The goalie got her hands on it but it had enough on it. It was a great moment for her and a great moment for the team. We were pleased to be able to get back in the game and have fight to make it last as long as we did.”

The Krause goal would be the final score in regulation play as both teams played solid defense in the second period.

For the fourth time of the season, Pitt took to overtime as the game was tied at 1-1. In the opening minutes of play the Wolfpack nearly ended things before the duo of goalkeeper Taylor Francis and defender Seyla Perez came up big.

Despite Pitt’s tough defense, NC State was able to connect on its second corner kick of the game with five minutes left in the first overtime as the Wolfpack claimed a 2-1 decision.

With the loss, Pitt concludes the season with a record of 2-15-1, 1-9-0 in the ACC. Keeper Francis was forced to make eight saves, as NC State’s keeper recorded two. NC State out-shot the Panthers 23-7 on the evening, with 10 shots on goal, compared to three for Pitt.

The match was the final for five Panther seniors, a Pitt celebrated the careers of Fernandez, Francis, Niki Hopkins, Siobhan McDonough and Emily Pietrangelo Sunday afternoon at Ambrose Urbanic Field.

“I’m really proud of our seniors, not only for their efforts tonight, but throughout their careers and helping this program head in the right direction,” added Miller. “They will certainly leave a lasting legacy for others to remember and follow and they will be missed.”